Singapore government encourages firms, developers to be more environment-friendly

The government is encouraging firms and developers to be more environmentally-friendly through three new initiatives. Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu has announced that all new public sector buildings and those undergoing major retrofitting works must be Green Mark certified. Green Mark is a rating system to evaluate a building for its environmental impact and performance. HDB, the largest housing developer here, will have all its new public housing certified from next year.

The second initiative of $20 million will go into the new Green Mark Incentive Scheme over three years. It will be used to reward those who use green building technologies extensively. Finally, the National Development Ministry has allocated $50 million to a new research fund over the next five years. It aims to intensify research and development efforts in green building technologies and energy efficiency.

- Lynntan has put up a post on the SPOG mailing list. This news item is splashed all over the front page of the Straits Times today. Talk about building up awareness.

It's a good step in the right direction. But I'd also like to know what they are planning to do with existing buildings. Meanwhile, Spain has gone further and actually made solar panels compulsory.

Angola to join Opec on 1 Jan 2007

peakoil.com -> fin24.co.za :

Angola has won the backing of existing Opec members to join the organisation and will become a member on January 1, Opec said. "The conference unanimously admitted the Republic of Angola as the twelfth full member of the organisation, with effect from the January 1 2007," the statement said. Ministers had earlier said Angola would be admitted in March.

The southern African country currently produces 1.4 million barrels a day and aims to raise this figure to two million by the end of next year. The admission of the country is seen as extending the influence of Opec, which already produces about a third of world oil supplies. Angola is the first member to join Opec since Gabon became a member in 1975. Gabon has since left the cartel.

(2006-12-15 12:44:18 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

Spain makes solar panels compulsory

peakoil.com -> pubs.acs.org :

Solar panels are compulsory on all new and renovated buildings in Spain as part of a building code that became mandatory in October. Spain is the first European country to require solar power in restoration and construction projects, according to the European Commission.

New homes must have solar panels that provide 30–70% of their hot water, depending on their location and predicted water usage. Photovoltaics also are mandatory for new nonresidential buildings, such as shopping centers and hospitals. The code includes requirements for better insulation and maintenance of heating and cooling systems as well as increased use of natural light. The EU says the standards will bring energy savings of 30–40% for each building and reduce CO2 emissions by 40–55%.

(2006-12-15 12:39:17 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

Exxon Mobil rejects peak oil

peakoil.com -> dfw.com :

Exxon Mobil lined up solidly against "peak oil" adherents, saying the estimated 4 trillion barrels of crude oil available for production will be more than enough to satisfy the estimated 60 percent increase in world demand for crude oil through 2030.

Such a view runs contrary to the peak oil argument, which warns that the world is near the peak production and any decline will weigh heavily in increased costs and geopolitical friction as demand continues to climb, particularly in China, India, Russia and the developing world. "We are comfortable that the technology exists to produce sufficient oil through 2030," Exxon Mobil planning manager Jaime Spellings said.

- Exxon Mobil can no more reject peak oil than a drowning polar bear can reject global warming.

(2006-12-15 12:13:04 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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